Stateline Canberra

Elizabeth Murphy Turns 100

Philip Williams joined Elizabeth Williams for her 100th birthday celebrations.

REPORTER: Elizabeth Murphy was working as a waitress in the 1920s in what was then the Hotel Canberra, now the Hyatt. She's seen two world wars, countless prime ministers, monarchs and every change the 20th century could bring. She now lives in Ozanam Village Hostel and has had a very special birthday, 100 years, and she's still full of life.

This is a question you ask everybody that turns 100 - what is the secret are?

ELIZABETH MURPHY: Well, living a good life, working very hard.

REPORTER: When you think of yourself, what age do you imagine yourself at?

ELIZABETH MURPHY: Well, I think 60s or 70s. That's all I feel like. I don't feel like 100. I feel quite healthy and only my legs won't carry me - my body won't carry my legs now. I have been in the war, in the big war. I used to have to make the shells, had to make the shells for bombs, which wasn't very nice but you had to do it.

REPORTER: When you were born, Queen Victoria had only passed way.

ELIZABETH MURPHY: She died when I was young and then the Queen used to parade around the streets for everyone to see, you know, she was really lovely.

REPORTER: You seem -- you've seen extraordinary changes in the world, haven't you?

ELIZABETH MURPHY: Yes, I've seen a lot of changes, especially in Canberra. It's amazing what they have done to Canberra. They've made it so beautiful.

REPORTER: Do you think young people these days have got it easy?

ELIZABETH MURPHY: Well, I don't know. Easier than what I had. I think the world is a lot better than it was when I was young.(Do you?) Yes, it's much more alive now. There's more for them. They have TV. We didn't have TV. How did you survive without TV? Just a gramophone.

SONG: # Forever young # I wanna be forever young #

PHILIP WILLIAMS: She is fantastic and happy birthday to her and that's the program this week.